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"With the holiday season now well underway, and with markets significantly above their lows a few years ago and a few months ago, we are seeing people’s generosity in action."

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Schwab Charitable, one of the nation’s largest national donor-advised fund organizations1, is reporting an increase in both contributions and grant giving year-over-year. As of the end of November, contributions have increased 76%, and grant activity is up 35% over the same period last year.

“We are very pleased to see that despite the uncertainty and volatility of the markets, our clients are not only consistently giving, but also are actually increasing their charitable efforts this year,” said Kim Laughton, acting president of Schwab Charitable. “With the holiday season now well underway, and with markets significantly above their lows a few years ago and a few months ago, we are seeing people’s generosity in action.”

A donor-advised fund allows individuals – small and large donors alike – to contribute cash or appreciated assets to a charitable account to realize the greatest possible tax benefits, while supporting their favorite charities. Serving a wide range of philanthropic investors, Schwab Charitable manages account sizes from $5,000 to over $400 million. Schwab recently lowered its individual grant minimum from $100 to $50 to enable donors to use their accounts to support a wider range of giving.

Year-End Contribution Deadlines

As 2011 comes to a close, Schwab Charitable reminds individuals who are still looking to make contributions to a donor-advised fund and realize a 2011 charitable tax deduction of some important contribution deadlines:

Donor Deadline

Contribution Type

Submission Guidelines

December 19, 2011

Wire transfers from a non-Schwab financial institution

Submit a transfer request to the financial institution to wire the funds.

December 30, 2011

Transfers from a Schwab brokerage account

Submit your request online, by fax, or by mail.

December 31, 2011

Checks

Mail your check, which must be postmarked by December 31.

December 31, 2011

Security certificates

Submit by registered mail or delivery service, which must be postmarked by December 31.

“December is a very busy month for making grants and contributions, and we want to remind people that Schwab Charitable has a variety of resources available to help with both contributions and grant-making. This includes our online donor center where clients can research U.S.-based charitable organizations and make grant recommendations, as well as the ability to make personalized grants, free of charge, by using a customized grant letterhead. Grants can also be made anonymously if desired,” said Laughton.

About Schwab Charitable

Created as a national donor-advised fund with a mission to increase charitable giving nationwide, Schwab Charitable has raised over $5.5 billion and has facilitated over $2.7 billion in grants to charities on behalf of its donors since inception in 1999. Schwab Charitable was a pioneer in enabling investment advisors to manage the investments of donor-advised accounts and remains the leading provider of such professionally managed accounts. Schwab Charitable also offers a private foundation conversion service for private foundations considering donor-advised funds as a complementary or alternative charitable vehicle. Schwab Charitable’s Double Give Program allows donors to recommend that a portion of their donor-advised accounts be set aside to guarantee microfinance loans to the world's poorest entrepreneurs, while leaving donated assets in the account invested for potential growth and future granting. For more information, visit www.schwabcharitable.org. (1211-8251)

(1) Philanthropy 400 data published by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, based on net assets for the period ending June 30, 2010, collected from IRS 990 annual returns

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal or investment planning advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, Schwab Charitable recommends consultation with a qualified tax advisor, CPA, Financial Planner or Investment Manager.

Schwab Charitable is the name used for the combined programs and services of Schwab Charitable Fund, an independent nonprofit organization, and Schwab Charitable Trust Services, a limited liability company owned by Schwab Charitable Fund. The Fund has entered into service agreements with certain affiliates of The Charles Schwab Corporation.